Author JoAnn M. Macdonald warns of the continued slide to an American theocracy in "Democracy vs. Theocracy: The President and the Senate Will Decide YOUR FUTURE". In twelve bold and concise essays Macdonald documents the influence of the Religious Right in American politics over the past thirty years and its maneuvers to undermine the U.S. Constitution with challenges to separation of church and state. Because attacking laws at the Federal level wasn't working, the Religious Right began working at the state and local levels, for example, through school boards. In the case of teaching Intelligent Design in science classrooms in Dover, Pennsylvania, the school board was forced to change its policies when it was sued by outraged parents. Brought before a Federal judge who ruled against them, they were forced out of office. The voters then re-elected a new school board.
Because America has a supposedly liberal-thinking president, the expectations of ultra-conservative citizens were dashed with the election of 2008 and Barack Obama as president. These ultra-conservatives expended much energy and money to see their team win. Despite their claims, they won't be going away. This is a fight for America's soul.
What U.S. Supreme Court appointments will mean in the short and long terms are the focal points of Macdonald's revelations. The election of Barack Obama instead of John McCain gave Americans the opportunity for hindsight: What if Sarah Palin had been elected vice-president and then became president by default through a President McCain's incapacity? The "what ifs" abound with reflection. The nearly two-year campaign of 2008 allowed Americans to view the two majority parties in their religious attitudes. No matter that the Constitution disallows a religious litmus test. Many candidates boldly stated their religious persuasions, forcing others to consider making a decision they hadn't foreseen.
The elections of 2010 and 2012 are crucial to retaining America's democracy by safeguarding the First Amendment. The author encourages--no,demands--
